MA in Contemporary Ethics

An Anglia Ruskin University degree created and taught by the Cambridge Theological Federation

https://aru.ac.uk/study/postgraduate/contemporary-ethics/

Gain an in-depth understanding of ethics and how its applied in the context of cultural and religious pluralism.

Contemporary Ethics

Available as

  • Postgraduate Certificate in Contemporary Ethics (2 modules)
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Contemporary Ethics (4 modules)
  • MA in Contemporary Ethics (4 modules and a 15,000 word project)

Options

  • Available full-time or part-time
  • Choose from online or classroom lectures and seminars
  • Some modules will be available by block teaching in Cambridge over one or two weeks

Students will be supported to:

  • gain an in-depth understanding of ethics and its applicability in a context of cultural and religious pluralism
  • learn the conceptual tools for insight into the processes of moral reasoning, development and decision making in private and public life
  • encounter a diversity of approaches, engaging critically with divergent views of the role of ethics in public life
  • relate the discourse of ethics to a wide range of contemporary personal, professional and public issues
  • undertake a detailed exploration of some issues of significance in the contemporary context


Following the course, our hope is that you will be able to contribute to social transformation through continued critical reflection and engagement with personal, organisational, and public values and ethics.

Core Modules

Postgraduate Certificate Postgraduate Diploma MA
Foundations of Morality Foundations of Morality Foundations of Morality
Moral Development, Moral Reasoning and Decision Making Moral Development, Moral Reasoning and Decision Making Moral Development, Moral Reasoning and Decision Making
Plus two optional modules Plus two optional modules
Plus a major project (15,000 words)

Foundations of Morality

This module is compulsory for students taking the MA in Ethics, as a foundational disciplinary module, but is accessible to students undertaking other MAs in the CTF, who wish to consider ethics as element of their programme approach.

This module will introduce the students to different ways of thinking about moral matters and dilemmas within normative philosophical ethics. It will inquire into such questions as ‘what makes an act right or wrong and the human being good or bad?’; ‘how should one live?’ (a Socratic question), ‘what is the good life? (an Aristotelian question), ‘how do we assess difficult moral situations?’; ‘where our principles come from?’; ‘why be moral?’, ‘do moral facts exist?’; ‘what does moral living require of us, both as human beings and within our specific social, professional and vocational roles?’.

In searching for answers the students will consult moral theories which are usually grouped into three broad categories: deontological (concerned with acts that fulfil our duties), teleological (concerned with the consequences of our acts; utilitarianism is its best-known representative), and virtue-centred (focused upon the formation of good character with the virtues as its traits). The students will be helped to think in an informed and structured way about the meaning, role and patterns of moral reasoning and decision making within deontology, teleology, and virtue ethics.

The module will be interdisciplinary, engaging with neuroscience and artificial intelligence. These approaches to ethical thinking will be set in dialogue with other themes for investigation, including: major influences on ethical debate (relativism; theistic and non-theistic approaches; science); conscience; human rights; law and morality.

Assessment will be by one 6,000 word assignment.

Moral Development, Reasoning and Decision Making

This module is compulsory for students taking the MA in Contemporary Ethics. It is accessible to students undertaking other MAs in the CTF, who wish to consider moral development and the role of reasoning in making moral decision as element of their programme’s approach.

This module will introduce the students to different ways of thinking about moral matters and dilemmas within developmental moral psychology, normative philosophical ethics, neuroscience and art. It will inquire into such questions as ‘what is moral maturity?’; ‘what constitutes and conditions moral growth’?; ‘how to achieve moral excellence?’; ‘is good character enough for leading morally good life?’, ‘how do we assess difficult moral situations and prioritise goods?’; ‘how do we deal with moral incontinence or failure?’

In searching for answers the students will consult moral theories studied in the ‘Foundations of Ethics’ module. The students will be helped to think in an informed and structured way about the meaning, role and patterns of moral reasoning and decision making within deontology, teleology, and virtue ethics.

Selected moral psychological theories of ego, cognitive and affective development as well as contemporary discussions within social and neuro psychology will also be studied, to offer a contained interdisciplinary element to this module. Other themes for investigation will include: ‘conscience and consciousness’, ‘moral luck’, ‘handling moral disagreements’, ‘arete and akrasia’ (excellence and weakness of the will).

Assessment will be by one 6000-word assignment.

The normal entrance requirement for the postgraduate programmes in the Cambridge Theological Federation is a first- or good second-class honours degree in a relevant subject. Examples would include Ethics, Philosophy, Theology, or other related subjects.

The CTF will also consider graduates in other disciplines who may also be admitted to the programme on a case by case basis. The CTF will also take seriously, on a case by case basis, applications from candidates without an appropriate undergraduate degree but that can demonstrate significant relevant experience, such as within professional or ministerial roles, especially for candidates who have not had the opportunity to engage in formal higher education before.

Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed by the House they have applied to. The Federation reserves the right not to admit applicants who do not satisfactorily demonstrate their motivation or ability to fit into the learning community of the chosen Federation House. Applicants can only be admitted if the interview confirms their teachability, and if there is clear indication that they are able to establish and maintain meaningful learning relationships with their tutors and fellow students

English Language requirements
Our standard entry criteria for postgraduate courses is IELTS 6.5 or equivalent, with nothing lower than 5.5 in any of the four elements (listening, speaking, reading and writing).

We also accept the following English language tests as equivalent to IELTS 6.5 with 5.5 in each element:

  • ETS TOEFL iBT with 88 overall and a minimum of 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking
  • Pearson PTE with 61 overall and a minimum of 51 in all components.

However, students requiring visas to study full time in the UK should note that the government will only accept an IELTS result as evidence of meeting the English language requirement.

Our degrees validated by Anglia Ruskin University are offered through the following four of our member institutions. Email any questions you have to the Director of Studies.

Institution Contact
CCCW director@cccw.cam.ac.uk
IOCS admissions@iocs.cam.ac.uk
Margaret Beaufort info@mbit.cam.ac.uk
Westcott House admissions@westcott.cam.ac.uk
Wesley House admissions@wesley.cam.ac.uk

 

Costs are on our fees page.